| dc.description.abstract | This study aimed at comparing the difference in the quality and quantity of coverage of
female parliamentary candidates in the campaign periods preceding the 1992 and 2002
general election in Kenya. Data was collected from the Daily Nation, the local daily with
the widest circulation. The period of study was one month prior to 1992 and 2002 general
elections. Data for quantity of coverage (area of articles and photos, placement, etc) was
collected through a Coding Sheet while analysis of quality of coverage was based on
qualities that were emphasized in the articles.
Content analysis of articles and photos of female parliamentary candidates covered in
1992 and 2002 general election demonstrate that female aspirants received more
coverage in 2002 than in they in 1992. A similar trend is observed in the area of
photographs: while photos of female candidates covered 1593 square centimetres in
1992, they covered 1892 square centimetres in 2002. There were also more full size,
medium close-up and passport size photos in 2002 than in 1992. On the other hand, there
was not much improvement in the quality of coverage during that period.
Given the above findings, this study recommends that efforts to increase the quantity and
quality of coverage of female candidates be increased. This study also found that some
inaccuracies in gender portrayal are not deliberate but are rather a function of lack of
gender sensitivity on the part of the writer. For this reason, it is recommended that
newspapers writers be sensitised on balanced and sensitive reporting of gender issues
Content analysis of articles and photos of female parliamentary candidates covered in
1992 and 2002 general election demonstrate that female aspirants received more coverage in 2002 than in they in 1992. A similar trend is observed in the area of photographs: while photos of female candidates covered 1593 square centimetres in
1992, they covered 1892 square centimetres in 2002. There were also more full size, medium close-up and passport size photos in 2002 than in 1992. On the other hand, there was not much improvement in the quality of coverage during that period.
Given the above findings, this study recommends that efforts to increase the quantity and quality of coverage of female candidates be increased. This study also found that some inaccuracies in gender portrayal are not deliberate but are rather a function of lack of gender sensitivity on the part of the writer. For this reason, it is recommended that newspapers writers be sensitised on balanced and sensitive reporting of gender issues. | en |
